PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arto Markkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hazuka Oyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Markkanen might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Mell - Red Fraction. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Markkanen
vs
Oyama

187 cm
23
188 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

182 cm
22
195 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arto Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hazuka Oyama!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen keeps the fight on the outside.

Markkanen lands a big head kick that sends Oyama tumbling to the mat! Markkanen takes a step backwards and waves Oyama back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Hazuka Oyama has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Oyama misses with a looping left.

Oyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Markkanen, pushing him back against the cage.
Markkanen looking to throw knees to the head but Oyama is blocking nicely.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Markkanen breaks the clinch.
Oyama on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Markkanen. Markkanen obviously looking to wear him down.

Oyama drives through with a takedown into Markkanen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Markkanen has Oyama pulled in close to control his posture.
Oyama tries to stand but Markkanen is controlling from the bottom.

Oyama stands up and waves to Markkanen to follow him.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Oyama looks to throw the jab but Markkanen is out of range.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markkanen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen slaps away a takedown attempt from Oyama, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Markkanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Oyama takes a knee to the side of the body.
Oyama looks gassed!
Markkanen is pushing Oyama up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Markkanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Markkanen.

Markkanen breaks from the clinch.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Oyama moves out of range easily.
Oyama shoots in but Markkanen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Markkanen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Oyama's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Markkanen. That's going to slow Oyama down.
Oyama shoots for a takedown but Markkanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hazuka Oyama.
Nice jab there from Markkanen.
Oyama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markkanen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oyama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Markkanen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Markkanen controls the position for a moment.

Markkanen throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Markkanen ducks under a wild hook from Oyama.

Markkanen moves into the clinch.
Markkanen blocks a body shot from Oyama.
Oyama wants to break free but Markkanen has control.
Markkanen with a knee to the head.
Markkanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Markkanen wants to stall.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Oyama tries to throw a body punch but Markkanen avoids it by throwing Oyama back against the cage.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Markkanen scores with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Hazuka Oyama's cut even more.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen prevents a body shot from Oyama.
Markkanen tries to circle away but Oyama has him pinned against the cage.
Markkanen landing knees to the body.
Markkanen lands a knee to the head.
Oyama digs a right hand into Markkanen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Markkanen's gas tank.
Markkanen looking to throw knees to the head but Oyama is blocking nicely.
Oyama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Markkanen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Oyama moves out of range.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen is having none of it.
Markkanen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Oyama thows a body shot but no joy.
Oyama tries for a takedown but Markkanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Oyama takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Oyama moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Markkanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Markkanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Oyama.
Oyama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Markkanen lands a high kick!
Oyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markkanen manages to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Markkanen throws a right hand that Oyama ducks under and follows up with a left that Oyama also avoids with ease.
Oyama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markkanen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Markkanen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Markkanen wants it to stay on the feet.
Oyama takes a kick to the side of the head.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Markkanen.
Markkanen lands a high kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markkanen lands with a nice body kick.
Oyama has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Markkanen.
Oyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Markkanen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Markkanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hazuka Oyama's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Oyama darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Oyama moves out of range.

Markkanen forces Oyama back against the cage and clinches.
Oyama digs a right hand underneath Markkanen's ribcage. Markkanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Oyama scores with a shot to the side of Markkanen's head.
Markkanen is trying to break free.
Oyama is trying to break the clinch but Markkanen is controlling him.
A right handed body shot lands from Oyama.
Oyama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Markkanen's elbow.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Oyama avoids it.
Markkanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Oyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Markkanen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Arto Markkanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Oyama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Markkanen backwards.
Oyama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Markkanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Oyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Markkanen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Oyama is defending well for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Oyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oyama lands with a good body shot.
Markkanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oyama shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markkanen pinned against the cage. Markkanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Arto Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Oyama throws a nice looking combination but Markkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arto Markkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markkanen takes one to the side of the head.
Oyama has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Markkanen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Oyama.
Oyama wants to clinch up but Markkanen keeps it at a distance.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Oyama moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Markkanen.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oyama tries to clinch up.
Markkanen wants to clinch up but Oyama keeps it at a distance.
Oyama misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oyama tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen throws a head kick but Oyama moves out of range.
Arto Markkanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oyama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Markkanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Oyama.
Oyama is looking to clinch.
Oyama avoids the head kick by Markkanen.
Oyama shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Markkanen sprawls well. Markkanen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Oyama gets slowly back to his feet.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hazuka Oyama.
Markkanen lands a head kick. Oyama smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Oyama connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Markkanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oyama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Oyama moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Oyama closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Markkanen to the mat! Markkanen manages to get full guard.
Oyama wants to stand but Markkanen is controlling his posture from full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Oyama gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Oyama wants to clinch up but Markkanen keeps it at a distance.
Oyama fails with a takedown attempt.
Markkanen defending well as Oyama loads up on a big left hand.
Good leg kick by Markkanen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A punch combination from Oyama misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Oyama gets tackled into the cage by Markkanen. Markkanen maintains the clinch.
Markkanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Markkanen scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Markkanen scores a nice knee to the body.
Markkanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Oyama blocks it with crossed arms.

Oyama breaks the clinch.
Oyama lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Oyama shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markkanen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Markkanen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Markkanen gets tackled into the cage by Oyama. Oyama maintains the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Oyama.

Markkanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markkanen connects with an inside leg kick.
Oyama throws a hook but Markkanen blocks it.

Oyama moves into the clinch.
Oyama goes for a takedown attempt but Markkanen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hazuka Oyama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hazuka Oyama's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Oyama misses with a body shot.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen moves out of range.
Markkanen lands a high kick!
Oyama tries to clinch there but Markkanen circles away.
Oyama tries to clinch up.
Markkanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Markkanen.
Oyama tries to clinch up
and Markkanen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Oyama is lucky that one didn't land flush.

The cut above Hazuka Oyama's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Markkanen avoids a punch combination nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen is looking to clinch but Oyama is avoiding it.
Oyama is looking to clinch but Markkanen is avoiding it.
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Oyama blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Oyama wants to clinch up but Markkanen keeps it at a distance.
Markkanen throws a nice head kick!
Oyama's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Oyama misses.
Markkanen looks to land a combination but Oyama avoids it well.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen moves out of range.
Oyama blocks a head kick by Markkanen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Oyama wants the takedown. Markkanen is fighting it off but Oyama persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Markkanen's guard against the cage.
Oyama has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Markkanen is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Markkanen is working an open guard so Oyama takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Oyama's calf.
Oyama misses with a wild combination.
Markkanen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen is having none of it.
Oyama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Oyama moves out of range easily.
Markkanen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Oyama takes a step back to recover.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Oyama smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Markkanen delivers a nice body kick.
Oyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Markkanen circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oyama lands with a shot to the body.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markkanen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Oyama connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Markkanen scrambles back to his feet.
Markkanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Oyama.
Horrible takedown by Oyama or perhaps it was just good defense by Markkanen which made him look bad.

Oyama drives through and clinches with Markkanen against the cage.
Markkanen blocks a body shot from Oyama.
Oyama cracks Markkanen with a nice body shot.
Oyama lands an uppercut.
Markkanen blocks a body shot from Oyama.

Markkanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Hazuka Oyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oyama tries to clinch but Markkanen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oyama blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Oyama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oyama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markkanen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Oyama moves out of range easily.
Markkanen moves away from the strike by Oyama.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oyama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Markkanen avoids it really well and circles away.

Oyama darts in and clinches Markkanen up against the cage.
Markkanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Oyama blocks it with crossed arms.

Oyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oyama throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Markkanen scores with a kick to the midsection.
Oyama blocks a head kick by Markkanen.

Oyama rushes Markkanen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hazuka Oyama.
I think Oyama has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hazuka Oyama!
Hazuka Oyama managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Outkast Clothing Line, into his post fight interview.